Sahuaro District Weekly Update

February 25, 2021

Dear Sahuaro District Residents,

During City Council Workshop this week, the City Council provided consensus to move forward on a project to finance our unfunded public safety pension liabilities that will save from $5-6 million on average per year over the next 17 years.

Currently, the statewide Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) is underfunded by over $9 billion. Glendale’s portion of the unfunded liability this year totals $289 million. However, due to the interest rate charged against the unfunded liability, our payments over the next 17 years will total over $600 million. If the city finances a large portion of the unfunded liability at a lower interest rate, it will save the city $90-$108 million over the 17 year period. The proposal under consideration would accomplish this without raising taxes.

There is one question that will probably come to mind. How did we accumulate such a large unfunded liability? The answer is complicated, but most of it can be traced back to several factors (1) lower payments into the fund during the early years of the program (2) poor investment returns during the great recession (3) permanent benefit increases that were unfunded.

Pension reforms that were voted on and approved by the public a few years ago eliminated the Permanent Benefit Increase and created a membership tier for new hires that is properly funded. Additional updates included changes in management staff, asset allocations, and the actuaries. These modifications did not eliminate the unfunded balances, but significantly curbed future unfunded liability.

Enjoy your weekend,

Ray Malnar

Councilmember

Sahuaro District

P.S. We are currently accepting applications for our new Sahuaro District neighborhood beautification grant program. Please, see below for details. Apply now before funds are exhausted.

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Sahuaro District News & Citywide Information

MLB Spring Training

at Glendale's Camelback Ranch Facility Starts This Month

New Grant Opportunity

Sahuaro District - Neighborhood Beautification Grant

Based on public input last year, Councilmember Malnar had the opportunity to allocate funds toward improvement projects throughout the Sahuaro District. Those projects included:

Due to budget savings within Councilmember Malnar's office this year, more funds can be allocated toward neighborhood improvement projects in the Sahuaro district.

To complement efforts from last year, Councilmember Malnar has added an opportunity within this year's grant for landscape rock for residential front yard beautification. This is in addition to the opportunity to recommend a project to improve local City of Glendale parks, medians, right of ways, and other city properties within the Sahuaro District.

Click here to review grant guidelines and to print your grant application.

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State Farm Stadium

is Now a COVID-19 Vaccination Site

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Sahuaro District Construction & Street Repair Updates

Upcoming Pavement Management Program (PMP) Activities

For additional information as to the PMP schedule, process, impacts, or frequently asked questions, please visit Glendale's pavement management page by clicking here. Below find upcoming PMP activities over the next week or so, according to contractors' current schedule. Should you have any questions or if you would like further information, please contact the 24/7 Project Hotline at 602-532-6250.

Sahuaro District Improvements

Streets between Peoria Avenue and Cholla Street, between the Arizona Canal and 51st Avenue – Crack sealing is currently taking place to prepare for a Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to take place early Spring 2021.

50th Avenue between Cholla Street to Sunnyside Drive – Crack sealing to take place in late February to prepare for a Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to take place early Spring 2021.

Sunnyside Drive, between 50th Avenue and 51st Avenue – Crack sealing to take place in late February to prepare for a Latex Modified Surface Seal (LMSS) application to take place early Spring 2021.

Streets from north of Cactus Road to Sweetwater Avenue, west of 51st Avenue to Columbine Drive – Crack sealing to begin the week of February 22 to prepare for a Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

75th Avenue, between Bell Road and Union Hills Drive – Crack sealing to take place in April to prepare for a Polymer Modified Surface Seal (PMSS) application to take place late Spring 2021.

75th Avenue frontage Road, south of Grovers Avenue – Crack sealing to take place in April to prepare for a Polymer Modified Surface Seal (PMSS) application to take place late Spring 2021.

Bell Road, between 75th Avenue and the Loop 101 – Crack sealing to take place in April to prepare for a Polymer Modified Surface Seal (PMSS) application to take place late Spring 2021.

Streets between Bell Road and Grovers Avenue, between 55th and 59th Avenue – Slurry Seal to take place Spring 2021.

Streets between Thunderbird Road and Acoma Drive, between 51st Avenue and 55th Avenue – Polymer Modified Surface Seal (PMSS) application to take place Spring 2021.

70th Avenue, between Bell Road and the Skunk Creek Wash – Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

55th Avenue, Cholla Street to Cactus Road - Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

Sweetwater Avenue, 59th Avenue to 67th Avenue – Asphalt Rejuvenator application to take place Spring 2021.

Streets north of Thunderbird Road to Evans Drive, from 63rd Avenue to east of 67th Avenue – Asphalt Rejuvenator application to take place Spring 2021.

Phelps Road, 51st Avenue to 53rd Avenue – Thin Mill and Overlay to take place in late Spring 2021.

53rd Avenue, Phelps Road to Bell Road – Thin Mill and Overlay to take place in late Spring 2021.

Saint John Road, 75th Avenue to 79th Avenue – Thin Mill and Overlay to take place late Spring 2021.

79th Avenue, Bell Road to Union Hills Drive – Thin Mill and Overlay to take place late Spring 2021.

61 Avenue, Bell Road to Greenbriar Drive – Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

63rd Avenue, Bell Road to Greenbriar Drive – Slurry Seal application to take place Spring 2021.

Not sure what all these terms mean? Click here to learn more!